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You’ve decided to move to Massachusetts? Fantastic! Can’t wait to welcome you – you’re going to love it.
Once you get over how lucky you are, it is time to get down to the practicalities; one of which is to obtain or switch a license and registration from another state to Massachusetts. It can be a daunting prospect for many newcomers, primarily because Massachusetts has different requirements compared to many other states.
For example, few states require motorists to obtain a stamped registration form before they are allowed to register a vehicle; however, Massachusetts does. Similarly, many states require you to carry an insurance card, whereas Massachusetts does not. There are many differences to be aware of when registering a car in the state versus elsewhere.
If you are considering moving to Massachusetts, you will need to plan carefully. Once you become a Massachusetts resident, you need to convert your license, get a MA registration and have your vehicle inspected at an approved inspection site.
Read on to discover the steps you need to complete within 30 days of the date you officially move to the state.
In Massachusetts (Mass), following Governor Charlie Baker's declaration of a State of Emergency on March 10th, the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) has seen substantial delays due to the restriction of services. The Mass RMV is no longer allowing customer visits to their Service Centers and AAA offices.
As such, residents are required to make a reservation online or via phone (at 857-369-8000). Friends and family are not permitted to attend the meetings, except in the case of Learner's Permit applicants, who are allowed an accompanying parent or guardian.
Only 10 RMV centers are currently open: Boston/Haymarket, Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence, Leominster (for Learner's Permit only), Pittsfield, Plymouth, South Yarmouth, Springfield, Worcester, Watertown (for Learner's Permit only), and Wilmington (for Commercial Driver's License/Permit Only).
At the Wilmington RMV Service Centers, they are exclusively open to commercial transactions on a walk-in basis, including commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and permits (CLPs). CDL road tests are also continuing to be administered.
All Mass RMV customers must wear face coverings upon entering the Service Center. Social distancing within the Service Centers limits the number of customers allowed into the Service Center at any one time.
Due to the demand and relative shortage of appointments, it can take a minimum of two hours to receive an appointment via phone. Then you'll have to wait a further 7 to 10 days for your appointment date. However, we may be able to help you. Please see our helpful guide.
Wouldn't it be so easy to keep the same license no matter what state you live in? Sorry, no such luck. When converting your out-of-state driver's license to a Massachusetts license, you need to decide if you need a REAL ID driver’s license or a Standard Massachusetts driver’s license. If you don’t know what type of license you need, use the Real Answers Wizard.
Due to the State of Emergency, the RMV has suspended the issuing of new REAL IDs, except for the first-time issuance, out-of-state conversion, or other limited circumstances.
Once you've determined the type of license you need, the next step is to take the original ID forms to an RMV Service Center, including the following:
See the RMV's list of acceptable documents.
When transferring your license, ensure that you have valid immigration status for at least 12 months. If your legal immigration status is less than 12 months, then you are ineligible for a MA driver's license.
If you do not have your out-of-state license to turn in to the RMV, you will need either:
If your out-of-state license expired more than a year ago, you will need to take a road test, a written test, and an eye test.
The fees for a license conversion are as follows:
For folks moving to Massachusetts from abroad, converting a Driver's License from a foreign country is different from that of a US resident from another state.
You may be safe to drive freely in Massachusetts if you have a valid license from countries approved by the RMV, which includes:
If you have a license from Canada, Mexico, or a US territory (including Puerto Rico), you need to provide a driving record that is not more than 30 days old. If the driving record is not written in English, then the RMV may require a certified translation to be provided.
For non-US citizens not from a country approved by the RMV, drivers’ licenses cannot be converted. Therefore, they will need to meet all the identification requirements and take a learner’s permit exam and road test.
If you come from any of these countries and possess a foreign driver's license, then you are allowed to operate a vehicle provided you
meet the Massachusetts ID requirements.
After the license conversion, the next step is to register your vehicle. The process differs according to whether the purchase was made from a dealer or an individual.
From a Dealer
To apply for registration from a dealer, you will need:
Once you have the complete documentation, you will need to:
Note: Vehicle inspections due to expire in March, April, and May have been extended 60 days for non-commercial vehicles.
A 6.25% sales tax will be collected based on the purchase price of the dealer sale. If the dealer is not registered with the Department of Revenue, sales tax will be calculated at 6.25% of the purchase price or the National Automotive Dealer Association (NADA) trade-in value. Whichever is higher.
You will receive a registration certificate, new plates, and a year of expiration decal for the rear plate. The title will be mailed in approximately six to eight weeks.
From an Individual
When registering a vehicle purchased from an individual, remember that Massachusetts title law requires all motor vehicles and trailers to be titled within ten days of their purchase date. To register and title a vehicle purchased from an individual, you will need:
Note: Certificate of Title Fee - $75. Registration fees vary by plate type; see the RMV’s schedule of fees. Sales tax for a private sale is calculated at 6.25% of the purchase price or the National Automotive Dealer Association trade-in value, whichever is higher.
When registering and titling a vehicle purchased from an individual, you must:
Note: Sellers are required by Federal and Massachusetts laws to provide the mileage upon transfer of ownership. The transfer document should contain a signature and printed name and date from both seller(s) and buyer(s).
Note: Vehicle inspections due to expire in March, April, and May have been extended 60 days for non-commercial vehicles.
You will receive a registration certificate, new plates, and a year of expiration decal for the rear plate. The title will be mailed in approximately six to eight weeks.
Whenever you purchase a car, you must obtain a Bill of Sale, which proves that one party has purchased the vehicle from another. Vehicle sale agreements between the buyer and seller can be drafted. Several templates can be found online.
Apart from the Bill of Sale, the seller must also transfer the certificate of ownership to the buyer to ensure that the vehicle is rightfully transferred. Both the bill and certificate should be signed on the same date.
Gifted Vehicles/Vehicle Transfers Between Family Members
As for gifted vehicles or transfers between family members, registration is mostly the same as registering a purchased vehicle.
For gifted vehicles, you may be free from paying a sales tax if the vehicle was gifted to you from:
To complete registration, you will need to provide:
Note: If presenting the previous owner’s title, ensure it contains: date transferred, odometer reading, purchase price (‘Gift’ if applicable)
Please remember to obtain a vehicle inspection sticker within seven days of the registration date.
Countless insurance companies can provide you with an insurance policy for your vehicle. Finding an insurance policy that is affordable and matches your needs can be tricky. It requires research and shopping for quotes for different insurance policies. Minimum legal insurance requirements include:
However, those rates depend primarily on several factors, including:
It is essential to know how to find the right insurance company by comparing different quotes. If that seems too much to handle on your own, you can always hire an independent broker to find personalized deals. Independent brokers, such as Econosurance, can provide you with a free quote to save you an average of $500 annually. We create a personalized profile for all our clients by looking at their age, job, interests, and general life direction. Then we get numerous policy combinations from different insurance agencies to find the most suitable one for your situation.
Before registration can be considered complete, you require a vehicle inspection within seven days of the vehicle registration. It is a crucial step because it will ensure that your vehicle meets the required safety and emissions standards. Your insurance broker can help you find licensed inspection stations across Massachusetts.
Once these steps are finished, you will be done with the registration process. There are some things you also need to keep in mind after registering your vehicle, such as:
You may need a Registration and Title Application if you are thinking of:
Renewing the current registration if:
Registering your vehicle is an essential process as it allows you to move freely within Massachusetts.
For additional information not covered in this article, you can always contact the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (DMV/RMV) through their customer service number on 857-368-8000.
